If you’re embarking on a new business venture with your colleagues, you will no doubt be meeting for a brainstorm to discuss the situation and come up with innovative ideas.  Most people will simply meet in a room at the office, and get it done with the same old familiar tools in a same old familiar environment.  If you really need to get your team’s creative juices flowing, we suggest thinking a little more outside the box, by taking them out of their comfort zone.  London is full of quirky, interesting venues – it’s just a question of knowing how to find them.

Neal’s Yard is a good place to start.  Colourful, unusual and eccentric, this restored warehouse has many spaces on offer, and can house meetings of up to 50 people, or just 10 people.  Neal’s Yard is nestled just off Short’s Garden, and is a welcome haven of quirky calm in this busy area.  Having a cup of tea in the courtyard will really set off the creativity – it’s such an exceptional space, with brightly coloured window panes, textured brickwork and bizarre small touches that make you look twice.  Such functionality is rare with a venue this uncommon, but practically speaking, it’s a very good place to let your imagination and brainpower loose.

Just a few minutes walk from Paddington Train Station, you will find The Electric Barge moored on the canal. This boat venue allows you to move up and down the river, changing your scenery and providing a constant source of inspiration.  If, for example, you work for an environmental protection charity or any Green organisation, this could be the perfect place to come up with new ideas – and don’t worry, the barge runs on electricity, not fossil fuels!  The private dining suite holds 22 people, and 60 can be seated in the main space. It also comes fully equipped with all the necessary tools for a successful business meeting, and even has disabled access.  For a small boat on the river, this venue has huge potential to stir motivation and excitement within your team.

So, think outside the box for your next brainstorming session.  Investing in hiring a purpose built but unusual venue can be well worth the good ideas, and also acts as a teambuilding experience.